English Music for Clarinet [Import]

Charles Villiers Stanford (Composer), Howard [1] Ferguson (Composer), Gerald Finzi (Composer), William Hurlstone (Composer), Herbert Howells (Composer), Arthur Bliss (Composer), Franz Reizenstein (Composer), Arnold Cooke (Composer), Clifford Benson (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Clifford Benson
• Composer: Charles Villiers Stanford, Howard [1] Ferguson, Gerald Finzi, William Hurlstone, Herbert Howells, et al.
• Audio CD (September 9, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000002ZES
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,559 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Sonata For Clarinet And Piano Op. 129: Allegro moderato

2. Sonata For Clarinet And Piano Op. 129: Caoine Adagio (quasi Fantasia)

3. Sonata For Clarinet And Piano Op. 129: Allegretto grazioso

4. Four Short Pieces Op. 6: Prelude (non troppo allegro)

5. Four Short Pieces Op. 6: Scherzo

6. Four Short Pieces Op. 6: Pastoral

7. Four Short Pieces Op. 6: Burlesque (Con spiritu)

8. Five Bagatelles: Prelude

9. Five Bagatelles: Romance

10. Five Bagatelles: Carol

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Sonata For Clarinet And Piano: Con moto, dolce e con tenerezza

2. Sonata For Clarinet And Piano: Allegro, ritmico, con brio

3. Pastoral

4. Arabesques Op. 47

5. Sonata In B Flat For Clarinet And Piano: Allegro moderato

6. Sonata In B Flat For Clarinet And Piano: Scherzando

7. Sonata In B Flat For Clarinet And Piano: Adagio ma non troppo

8. Sonata In B Flat For Clarinet And Piano: Molto vivace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful recording..., December 29, 2002

By 

Donald G. Hite III "clarinetist extraordinaire!" (Houston, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: English Music for Clarinet (Audio CD)

The CD contains a variety of clarinet music that encompasses many styles. When I think I "English" music, the very pastoral, charming Finzi-type style comes to mind. While many pieces that are included are written in this style, such as Finzi's Five Bagatelles and Hurlstone's Four Characteristic Pieces, there are also more modern pieces such as the Howell and Cooke Sonatas, each of which has its own distinct sound.

I particularly enjoy the Stanford Sonata also. I read somewhere that it had "weak moments", but I personally think it is a great composition. The Sonata is said to take a lot of influence from Brahms, though compared to the Brahms Sonatas, I can say that this influence must be either very small or very general. Though written about 17 years after Brahms wrote his Sonatas, the Stanford Sonata seems more romantic (where as Brahms Sonatas seem to have one foot planted in the 20th century). Similarly, while the Brahms are more introspective and reserved, the Stanford seems more youthful and flamboyant.

Mrs. King's tone isn't the most colorful I've heard, but it is clear, focused, and pleasing to the ear. While I've read many reviews that criticize her technique as sloppy, I hear none of that here. While I certainly can't speak for everything she has recorded, on this disc, her technique is very clean. The pianist is very good as well, traversing more difficult pieces (like the Cooke) and making them sound easy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 20th-century English compositions for piano/clarinet, January 25, 2006

By 

Alan Lekan (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: English Music for Clarinet (Audio CD)

I suspect many considering this music may have been previously inspired by the beguiling clarinet music of Mozart, Weber or Brahms - all of which which wrote truly historic clarinet music rich in soaring, memorable melodies and wonderous, rhapsodic sonorities. Here in this two-CD set of clarinet/piano sonatas, we have early 20th-century music from notable composers in England at that time - Finzi, Stanford, Ferguson, Reizenstein, Hurlstone, Howells, Bliss and Cooke. As such, don't expect to find the charming melodies of Mozart or the soaring lyricism of Brahms here in these later English works. But, what you will find are innovative compostions taking full advantage of the attractive and complimenting timbres of the piano and clarinet along with much of the quintessential manner of English pastoral music.

Yet, as much as I am enthralled with the clarinet music of Mozart and especially Brahms, much of the English music here did not invigorate me with any sprightly allegros, or stir me emotionally with pathos or leave any memorable melodies in my musical mind afterwards. The Furgeson "Burlesque" was probably the most interesting short piece and the pastoral works are pure serenity and sonority; but most of the other works to me meander rather aimlessly with an unsatisfying sense of its progression and purpose beyond showcasing the beautiful, emotive sounds and range of the clarinet. Maybe it is because I prefer music of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic era and less the "Modern" works like many here. Perhaps too there is a reason only a few composers like Bach, Beethoven or Brahms were called "Great" while everyone else was just an "ordinary" composer. I think one thing the "Great" ones did was to write music that was truly memorable in its emotional impact and ability to "imprint" its complex musical score in your memory. Either way, as much as I wanted to like this music - and as much as I have enjoyed Thea King in other works - I did not connect with this English music for clarinet and piano beyond the lovely pastoral pieces by Finzi, Bliss or Hurlstone.

But, this is purely my personal response to this genre of music and less a criticism of the musicians. I'm sure those who enjoy modern compositions - and especially clarinettists and musically advanced listeners - will find much to revel in these works. While Ms. King's tonality may not be the most silky-smooth and sensual, her crisp attack and sharper articulation fits these pieces well. Also, there is much to admire in pianist Clifford Benson whose supporting role is immensely attractive - and is clean, vivid recorded sound that is typical of Hyperion recordings. If nothing else, the mixture and interplay of these two instruments ranks pretty high in terms of sheer musical, tonal pleasure. And here might lie the greatest gift of such pieces. So, maybe this music will grow on me beyond the seven times I heard them now, but so far the music itself was not so compelling for myself overall beyond a few highlights. But, to also note, Penguin Guide gave some nice marks to this set. Compositions - 3 stars, Performance - 4 stars, Sound Quality - 5 stars.